New Sabah Speaker bans ‘secession’ in Assembly

The “s” word can only be used by lawmakers outside the premises of the Sabah Assembly.

KOTA KINABALU: New Sabah Speaker and Balung assemblyman Syed Abas Syed Ali, 67, who clocked in on Monday as the 9th Speaker but does not officially begin work until two weeks later, has warned that he will not allow the word “secession” to be raised in the Legislative Assembly.

However, he conceded, that it would be beyond his control if lawmakers used the “s” word outside the premises of the Sabah Assembly. “It can be used outside the premises.”

He did not define premises.

“I can only forbid the use of the word during sittings of the Sabah Assembly,” said the Speaker who expressed surprise that he had been appointed to the post vacated by Salleh Said Keruak who has since been appointed a Federal Minister. “Lawmakers should focus on development.”

Sabah, he added, was a big state, and needed a lot of funds for roads, water supply and other infrastructure. “Some districts in Sabah are even bigger than states in the peninsula. Kiulu District, for example, is bigger than Pahang, the biggest state in the peninsula. So, these are the things that our Assemblymen should raise and not talk about secession.”

“They need to think about not just one tree but all the trees in the forest.”

He expressed confidence that both the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) and the Opposition would extend their co-operation to him. “I am a new kid on the block but I am prepared for the new challenge. I have to learn everything from scratch although I have experience in administration. I have able deputies in Johnny Mositun and Johnson Tee.”

He reiterated that not only was he surprised at being offered the Speaker’s post, his wife was surprised too. “Initially, I heard that I would be made an Assistant Minister. Other names were rumoured as the new Speaker.”

The next Sabah Assembly sitting would be in November. Syed Abas would officially take over from Salleh as Speaker two weeks from now.

Syed Abas who is also Chairman of the state government-owned Warisan Harta, would resign his post as soon as a new chairman was found.

He has been in politics since 1970.